I Asked Over 2000 Women Where to Buy the Best White Shirts—They Love These 17
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GETTY IMAGESThe white shirt even has its own icons. Old Hollywood stars such as Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly wore them loose with capri trousers or tucked into pencil skirts. Another recognisable look comes from Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman, in which she wore a white shirt tied at the waist with a miniskirt.
Modern-day white-shirt muses, however, include the likes of Jenna Lyons, former creative director of J.Crew. After all, she reconfigured how we view this humble item. But perhaps our favourite go-to celebrity for white-shirt styling inspiration is Victoria Beckham, whose insouciant way of rolling up her sleeves has us wanting to do the same.
But whatever your preference, one thing's for certain: Finding the one that fits you is like finding the fashion holy grail. It needs to fit just right and not gape at the chest. It needs to weather a coffee spill, and it needs to be long-lasting because when you find the ultimate one, you'll never get rid of it.
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GETTY IMAGESTo get the definitive guide to the best white shirts for women, we posed the question to our 2000-member Facebook group So… Should I Should Buy This?, asking them where they've found their best-ever white shirts. I also asked all the editors at Who What Wear which brands they rated. I had plenty of responses, and some labels clearly stood out. But what was evident was that no matter the price, people were willing to pay for more if a genuinely perfect fit was on offer.
Of all the brands that came out on top, there were two winners: COS and Gap were the most popular, in general. But there were so many more that were recommended. Marks and Spencer is ideal for those with bigger chests, as it offers an ingenious solution of hidden buttons on the inside to reduce the risk of gaping. Ready to discover your favourite white shirt? Keep scrolling to see how to style yours, and then check out our edit.
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@sylviemus_Style Notes: I love a white shirt with white jeans. Sure, you might find yourself avoiding the red wine, but it looks so chic, so it's probably worth it.
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@symphonyofsilkStyle Notes: Here's another combination of jeans and a white shirt—this time with white heels. It's a small difference, but it really makes an impact.
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@lucywilliams02Style Notes: Up the sass factor by wearing your loose white shirt tucked into a miniskirt with metallic heels.
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@abimarvelStyle Notes: I particularly like how Abi Marvel has knotted hers at the waist, wearing a punchy bra top underneath.
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@alllisonhoStyle Notes: Give your crisp white shirt the fun factor by pairing with a ruffled tulle skirt and sneakers.
H&M wasn't mentioned in the group discussion, but I've had a white shirt from the brand for about five years, and it hasn't let me down. It's great for a cover-up on the beach but is also smart enough for work.
Plenty of members of the Who What Wear Facebook group love COS, mainly because it offers white shirts with modern twists, like a concealed pocket as above.
For a real investment piece, you can't go wrong with Theory's classic white shirts, which have everlasting appeal.
A steal with an oversized fit, classic collared neckline and a longer length that opens up multiple styling opportunities.
Arket is one of our favourite places to go for basics that look expensive but are very affordable. Case in point? This white shirt.
Another brand that was mentioned a few times was Gap. Not only are its shirts apparently easy to iron, but they also last a long time.
French brand Sézane does a great line in shirts, but you'll have to be quick, as they tend to sell out very quickly.
Weekday was another recommendation from the Who What Wear team. This one is perfect in name, perfect in nature.
Editor in Chief Hannah Almassi recommends white Gant shirts in an oversized style, as these are good for those with a bigger bust.
If you want something a little looser that still fits well, you can't go wrong with Equipment's silk shirts.
Whistles has a way of taking classic pieces and adding a modern touch, like this chic oversized fit.
Another recommendation from our Facebook group was Ralph Lauren. I own a striped shirt from the brand and can attest that these wear well and look great on.
Cut from organic cotton-poplin, the Lui shirt and has a rounded hem that's longer at the back and a relaxed fit, making it the perfect everyday throw-on.
Made of 100% cotton, we love the flattering curved hem and relaxed fit of this white shirt from Albaray.
Rails is always a go-to for editors when it comes to easy basics that stand the test of time. Layer it over tanks like above or wear as is.